Phonographic reproducing apparatus



March 22', 1927.

A, A. THOMAS PHONOGRAPHXC REPRODUCING'APPARATUS Filed July 28, 1926 '2Snags-Sheet 1 INVENTOR March 1927. 1,622,011

A, A. THOMAS PHONOGRAPHIC REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed July 28, 1926 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR remind; Me. an,

- lUlWlThlilft earns AJBQLPH A. THOE IJKS, 01" NEW YORK; N. Y.

HHUKTTQGEAPHId EEPRODUGING AKPARA'E'WS.

implication filed July 23,

acoustic machine with novel reproducing mechanism adapted to reproduceeither me chanically through the tone arm or electrically through aloudspeaker unit connected to the horn. The reproducing mechanismcomprises selecting means which place either to method of reproductionwithin ready control of the operator.

. Another object of my invention is to provide a phonograph withmechanical and electric reproducing means selectivelyoperable'independently of each other, in combination with valvemechanism automatically controlled by the operative condition of eachreproducing means to connect the operative reproducing means with theampli- 2e :iiying apparatus of the machine. In order to explainthisleature ofmy invention, I have showni't in connection with anelectromechanical reproducer having means for manually adjusting thesame for either type of reproduction. This adjusting or selecting meansautomatically operates .a valve for placing either the tone arm or a.louds euker unit in acoustic communication with 't e amplifying; horn ofthe phonograph. The loudspeaker unit, which is a form of telephonereceiver, connected to a branch tube or passage arranged to communicatewith the horn at a suitable point. A valve is so mounted that in oneposition it opens the horn to the tone arm and closes off the branchtube; in the other position, the valve opens connnunication between thebranch tube and the horn, whili at the same time preventing sound wavesfrom passing into the tone arm. A suitable electromagnetic deviceoperates the valve, and this mechanism is automatically controlled bythe op crativc condition of the reprod-uccr. lVhcn the diaphragmselected for mechanical reproduction through the tone arm, a circuit isautomatically closed through the valve actuating device to move thevalve into posi tion for cormecting the tone arm with the horn andshutting oil the branch tulle. On the other hand, when the selectingmeans is operated for electric reproduction, the valve-actuating deviceautomatically moves the valve into position to connect the loudspeakerunit with the horn and cut off the tone arm, so that the sound wavesproduced 1326. @crial No. 1585,3531.

by the loudspeaker through the horn.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, the connection between theloudspeaker unit and the horn is concealed below the top board of thecabinet. -'llhe actinitin device for the valveis, therefore, out ofsight. lndeed, so far as the operator is concerned, the controllingvalve does not exist, for its op eration is Wholly automatic. Theselecting means of my double-actingdiaphrag'm are amplified reproducermay also control acircuit of the electric reproducing mechanism, That isto say, when the diaphragm is reproducing, the electric reproducercircuit is open; when the selecting means is operated for electrical reproduction, the reproducin circuit is automatically closed; This maresthe use of a separate switch for the electric reproducing mechanismunnecessary, and absolutely prevents Waste of current when the electricreproducer is not in operation. a

In order selected an (illustrative embodiment thereof for detaileddescription, it being understood that the construction shown in theaccoInpanying drawings is merely by way of example and not as alimitation or restriction. In these drawings, v v 1 Fig. 1 illustratesan interior face view lot an clectro-mechanical reproducer embodying myinvention, certain parts lacing shown in section on line ll of Fig. 2;.

i Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the broken line 22 of Fig. 1, showing theneedle arm connected to the diaphragm;

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-section on line 3-43 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows a view (partly broken away) similar to Fig. 3, with theconnection be tween the diaphragm and the needle arm broken;

Fig. 5 is an inside view of the cover plate (partly broken away),showing the mounting of the switch contacts for the valve-con. trollingcircuits and the reproducer circuit; Fig. 6 is a-tragmentary face viewerthe outercasing to indicate how the selecting knob should be turnedforobtaining electric or mechanical reproduction;

Fig. 7 represents a side view of a phonograph cabinet equipped with mydouhle-acting reproducer andihe automatic valve control;

Fig. dis a cross-section on line 8-8 of to explain my; invention 1' havei I Fig. 7, showing a front view of the valve-0perating mechanism, theparts being in po-,

sition for electrical reproduction;

Fig. 9 shows the valve-operat ng mechanism (partly in section) on anenlarged scale, the parts being in position for mechanmechanicalreproduction;

Fig. 11 is a cross-section on line 11-11. of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a the circuit connections of the valve-controlling mechanismwhen the diaphragm 1s used for reproduction; and

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 showing the valve-controllingcircuit connections when the electrical reproducer is in operativecondition.

In order to make the drawing as clear as possible, I have purposelyexaggerated the dimensions and relative proportions of the difi'erentparts, which have been spread out considerably more than would benecessary in actual practice. These drawings are therefore not to betaken as shop drawings.

A suitable casing C houses the various parts that comprise the interiorworking mechanism of the instrument. The casing C is here shown asconsisting of a back late 1, a cylindrical body section 2, and a rontplate or cover 3. These three parts may be separately connected, as byscrews 4 engaging in peripheral bosses 5 ,of section 2. The casing maybe constructed of nonmagnetic metal, such as brass, aluminum, oralluminum alloy, or it mav be shaped out of suitable compositionmaterial. section 2 is provided with a transverse annular flange 6arranged to form a shallow .recess or chamber-7, in which is mounted anacoustic diaphragm 8. This diaphragm is held rigidly clamped at itsperiphery in any practical way. For simplicity, I have showndiagrammatically a pair of nonmetallie rings 9 between which the dia-'phragm is held for vibratory movement. The diaphragm is easily insertedin position through the open mounth of recess 7 before the back plate 1is screwed on( A magnet M; preferably of the permanent type, issupported within, the casing. In

the present instance, the magnet is secured to the annular flange 6 byscrews 10 or otherwise. The flange 6 thus performs the double functionof supporting the magnet and serving as part of the mounting for thediaphragm. By making the magnet of circular shape, as shown in Fig. 1,it is possible to obtain a maximum length of magnetic path in a smallcylindrical casing. The ends of magnet M are turned forwardly at 11 forjnitlleiving pole piecesli of soft iron. These diagrammatic view showingThe body pole piecesg e preferably cylindrical and are arranged in axialalignment to provide an air ap 13.

X needle arm 14: is pivotally'mounted on casing G byany practical means.For convenience, I have shown the casing provided with a pair of lugs15, between which is supported a spring blade 16 of proper strength andresiliency. This spring passes through (or is otherwise rigidlyconnected to) the needle arm near the outer end thereof, whichconstitutes a needle holder 17. Thetenson of spring 16 permitsthe-needle arm to vibrate transversely of the casing, as about a pivot,and the strength of the spring is amply sufiicient to take up thelongitudinal thrust on the needle arm in the playing of a record. Thespring blade 16 thus serves as a pivot support for the needle arm and asi a restoring or centering spring for the same. Any other suitablesupport for the needle arm may be employed- A slot 18 in section.

2 of the casing permits the insertion of the needle arm into the casingand allows freevibration of the arm. It goes without saying that, when Irefer to the lever 14 as a needle arm, I mean any suitable member forcarrying a record-playing stylus, which may.

be in the form of a pointed needle for leteral-cut records, a tinysapphire ball for vertical-cut records, a diamond oint for Edisonrecords, or any other practical form.

To the inner end of the needle arm 14 is rigidly connected a coil 19, asby means of a strap or band 20' clamped tight around the coil. The endsof strap 20 are secured by a screw or rivet 21 to the needle arm. Th"coil is arranged to' vibrate in the air-gap 13 of the magnet. In thenormal position of the needle arm,- the coil 19 is substantially inaxial alignment with pole pieces 12. The internal diameter of the coilshould preferably be about the same as the diameter of the pole pieces.As the needle arm 14 vibrates, the coil 19 vibrates transversely ofskilled in the electrical art without the need i of further explanation.

pulses can be utilized to operate a loudspeaker or any other reproducingdevice. It is clear from Figs. l and 2 that the needle vibrations aretransmitted to the coil in amplified ratio, so that-the smallest vibrations of the needle point arc sullicicnt to generate current impulses inthe circuit of the coil. no magnetic drag or load on the needle armduring vibration oF coil '19.

' In the broad aspect oi" my invention, the magnet M and coil 19rcprosent merely one of many practical forms of electric reproducingmechanism operated or controlled by By connecting the" coil m suitablecircuits, these current mi- It is to he noted that there is.

lil-

' 'that-the screw 24 22 of the diaphragm, so that the needle arm Leeannthe vibrations of the needle arm. l donot, therefore, intend to belimited to any particular construction of electric reproducing means,rovided it is capable of operation indepen ently of the diaphragm. Oneof the important features of my invention lies in the fact that theelectric reproduction takes place without the diaphragm, which is usedsolely for mechanical reproduction through the tone arm on which thereproducer is mounted. To accomplish this result, I provide a readilyseparable and restorablc connection between the diaphragm and the needlearm. This fundamentally novel idea may be mechanically carried out invarious ways, one of which is shown by way of example in Figs. 1-4.

he diaphragm 8 is provided at the center with a screw-plug 22. Theneedle arm 14 has rigidly secured to it a screw-threaded socket 23 inwhich is supported a screw 24 provided at its outer end with a pinion25. The screw 24 is adapted to engage in the screw-threaded plug 22.On'the front plate or cover of the casing is formed a bearing- 26 inwhich is shaft 27. A suitable finger shown asa knob, is fixed to theouter end of shaft 27, and to the inner end of this shaft is connected agear 29 arranged to mesh with pinion 25. The gear 29 does not have acomplete circle. cut-away or mutilated section 30 which does not engagethe pinion 25, for a purpose that will presently be explained. A fixedstop 31 on the casing engages a stop 32 on gear 29 to limit the movementof the latter in either direction.

The operation of the selective mechanism above described is as followsLet us assume is in engagement with plug arboror stubplcce 28, herejournalled an is operatively connected with the diaphragm ormechanicalreproduction. This is the position of the parts shown in Figs. 1, 2 and3. It will be observed that the gear 29 is out of contact with thepinion 25 of connecting screw 24, thus permitting. free vibration ofdiaphragm and needle arm as a single member without interference by thecon trolling'gear. Now, if the bperator desires electric reproduction,the knob 28 is turned in the direction indicated by arrow a in Fig. (5.After a slight preliminary turn, the teeth of gear 29 engage the pinion25 and rapidly rotate the screw 24 in a clockwise or right-handeddirection. The screw 24 being left'handed, this turning of the screwmoves the same out of plu 22 to disconnect theneedle arm from thediaphragm. When the lug 32 on gear 29 strikes one side of the fixed stop31, the screw 24: is in the position shown in Fig. 4 and furthermovement of the knob 28 in the direction a is prevented. By providing anopening 33 ii -the of teeth, but has acounterclockwise until the lug- 32of gear 29 i i strikes the other side of stop 31. The screw 24 is thenin the connecting position shown in: Fig. 3, and the gear 29 is fullydisconnected from the pinion. It may be found desirable to insert a pad34 of hard rubber or other yieldable material in the bottom of plug 22to produce a final jamming effeet as the screw 24 reaches home andpresses against the pad. This makes a tight solid, joint betweendiaphragm and needle arm, and yet it is a joint that is easily separatedby a mere turnof knob 28. To prevent pos sible rattling or looseness ofscrew 24 when it is in disconnecting osition, the socket 23 may beprovided wit a lining 35 of hard rubber or like material, which pressesinto the screw-threads and thereby holds the screw against working looseduring the vibrations of the needle armf It is understood that the gearratio between the members 25 and 29 is so related to thcpitch and numberof screw-threads in screw 24 that one turn of gear 29 moves the screwinto andout of connecting attempted to indicate these transmissionratios with mathematical precision in the drawings.

The operator can readily tell, by simply feeling the knob 28, whetherthe diaphragm and-needle arm are connected or disconnccled. Forinstance, lookin at Fig. 6, if. the operator tried to turntieknobclockwise and found it locked against movement in that direction, hewould know at once that the'necdle arm was connected to the diaphragmand that, therefore, the instrument ,was in condition for mechanicalreproduction. Conversely, if the operator found that he could not turnthe knob in the direction oi. arrow 1.; in Fig. 6, he would know thatthe instrument was set for electric reproduction. So that no unnecessarywaste of battery current may occur during intervals iuwhich the electricreproducing mechanism is not used, I provide means for autoimiticallyopening suitable switch connections in the. electric reproducer circuit\vhen'theinstru mechanical rep'roducment is operated for position. Ihave not tion through the diaphragm. In the present embodiment I haveshown a pair of switch contacts 36 and 37 mounted on an insulatinplate.38, which is secured to the inside 0 in". -ll-ese contacts are inthe form of movcover 3, or is otherwise supported in the easab e springarms normally outof engagement with each other. To the contacts 36 and37 are connected the end conductors 39 of coil 19. Also, a pair of leadsare connected to c0ntacts 36 and 37. The selectingmembcr 29 carries aninsulated cam projection 40 arranged to engage the spring contact 36 andforce it against the contact 37 when the member 29 disconnects theneedle arm from the diaphragm, as shown in Fig. 13.. It is understood.of course, that the finger piece 28 is not moved into the electricposition unless and until the instrument is to be used for electricreproduction. The cam 40 does not close the contacts 36 and 37 when thenected as when it is disconnected. This is due to the fact that the lug32 engages opposite sides of stop 31, which has a predeterminedthickness. In the broader aspect of my invention, the contacts 36 and 37represent a switch in any part of the electric reproducing circuit orsystem of which the coil 19 is an element.

The reproduce! casing C is operatively mounted on a tone arm 41, as bymeans of'a hub 42projecting from the back plate 1 of the casing. Aset-screw 43, engaging in a slot 44 of hub 42, determines the correct position of the reproducer on the tone arm. The coil leads may beconnected to binding posts on the back plate of the casing, as will beunderstood without illustration.

I now come to that feature of my invention which has to do with meansfor automatically controlling an acoustic valve in accordance 'with theoperative condition of the rcproducer. The phonograph cabinet has" anamplifying horn or chamber 45in connection with tone arm 41. The, innerportion of the horn is here shown as a neck 46 having an extension 47,which preferably extends downwardly at an acute angle to theverticalaxis of the neck. The tubular parts 16 and 47 are preferablycast or molded from metal or composition material as a single piecefitting tightly between the connecting members 43 and '4'). (lncxlcnsion 47 is mounted a branch tube SlM-arcving a loudspcakor unit 51of suitable construction. lt will be understood that the telephone unit51 o' ..-lll(l or conlrollcd by the clcclric impulscs 'cncralcd in oil19. The circuit connections bctwccn lhc Olcclllc rcproduccr and thelclepbonc rcccivcr 51 nccd nolv be shown or dcscrilnrd. for they will bcclear to those familiar with this art. The cabinet may have a door 52 inthc sidc for easy insertion or rcmo val of unit 51.

In casting 46- is mounted a valve,

which in thisinstance comprises a pair of valve disks 53 and 54 mountedcentrally on pivoted rods 55 and 56. Set screws 57, or any othersuitable means, hold the valve disks against turning relatively to thesupportingrods, which are journalled abdiametricallv opposite points incasting ifid'l'. In assembling the valve mechanism, the disks 53-and 54are inserted one at a time into the casting before the latter isconnected with the parts 48, 49 and 50. Assuming the valve disk 53 heldin proper position, the supporting rod 55 is threaded throughtheacentral hole in the disk. and a screw driver is then insertedthrough the open end of extension 47 to tighten the set screw. The valvedisk 54 and rod 56 are assembled in the same way.

It will be seen from Fig 10 that the valve disks 53'and 54 are mountedin parallel rela tion. When the disks are in the position shown in fulllines in Fig. 10, thefione arm 51 is fully open to the horn and thebranch tube 50 is completely closed from the born by valve disk 54.moved into the positions indicated by dotted lines 53 and 54, the tonearm is entirely shut off from the horn, and the branch tube 50communicates freely with the horn.- The disk 53 in closing position 53forms a continuation of extension 47, so that sound waves pass easilyfrom tube 50 into thehorn without a right-angled turn, whereby thereproduction is improved.

'When either valve disk is in open position.

it stands in a plane substantially parallel with the axis of the tubularmember in which it is mounted. and the disk therefore does not interferewith the passage of sound waves, especially since the disks may be madevery thin' (of aluminum, for instance). The particular shape of thevalve disks will obviously dcpcnd on the shape ofthe conduits 46 and4-7. In the present embodiment, these conduits are cylindrical, andso-the valve disks are elliptical or oval.

On the neck 46 of the horn is lined a bracket 58, which carries asolenoid indicutcd as a whole by S. This solenoid don prises a pair ofcoils 59 and in) mounted in axial alignment, and a magnctic core or Whenthe disks areplunger (1. The coils are held rigidly on a lubc, 2 bclwccna pair of cod plates 63. The tube 2 ucls as a support and guide for thercciprocablc. core (H. 'lhc ends of coils 59 and (H) load to terminalsor binding posts 64 and (3.3, respectively, which are properly conncctcdin the circuit of a battery 66, or other source of electric currcnt forenergizing the coils. I

()n the oulcr end of rod 55 is fixed a lcvcr comprising arms .67 and 68,the latter being longitudinally slotted at 69. The outer end of rod 56carries an arm 70, which is connected to arm 67 by a link 71, wherebythose two arms always move together in 68- at thepoint 76.

eonora parallel relation. The solenoid core 61 is provided with anonmagnetic extension 72, which has a pm 73 arranged to engage in slot69 of arm. 68. A coil spring Y4 is connected at one end tov a pin orstud 75 on neck 46,.and at the other end to the arm The normal tendencyof spring T4 is to contract and thus to rock the pivoted lever (37fi8(and ther ilore the rod and valve disk 53) in the direction ofinoven'ient of the solenoid core 61, as will presently he explained.

lnv the circuit of coil 59 is a pair of con tacts 77, and the circuit ofcoil includes a similar pair of contacts'i'S.

in casing C at dili'erent distances from the center of shaft 27- Forconvenience, l have shown each pair of contacts mounted on a smallinsulating block 79 carried by the rasing cover 3. The selecting wheel29 carries two arc-shaped contact strips 80 and 81. In Figs. 3 and l,these strips are shown as pieces of spring. metal set firmly intoslotted insulating blocks 82 semi-ed to wheel 25 On referring to Fig.12, it will be seen that contact piece 8O is so arranged as to connectcontacts 77 of coil 59 when the Wheel 29 reaches a predeterminedposition in its movement to connect the needle arm 1% with diaphragm 8.Contact piece 81 is so ar ranged that, when the wheel. 29 is turnedcounterclockwise to place the electrical reiproducer in operativecondition, the contacts 78ers closed just shortly. before the wheelreaches final position. It should be noticed that the. contact piece 80never touches con tacts 78, and the other contact piece 81 at no timeengages contacts 77- lhe valvecontrolling operations that antomaticallytake place when the selecting member-,9? is actuated are as follows,reference being-had to Figs. 12 and 13: it will be remembered that thediaphragm is connected to the needle arm when the member 29 is turnedclockwise (as viewed in l? .1 and 12)." in the position of the parts asillustrated in Fig. 12, the member 29 is being turned in the directionoi' arrow 0 and is near the end of its movement; The contact piece 80,carried by member 29, now connects the switch contacts 77 and thecircuit through coil 59 is closed. The energized coil draws the magneticcore 61 into the po-- sition shown in Fig. 9, whereby the pivoted lever@7 68 is rocked clockwise as viewed in Fig: 9) to move the valve disksinto the position indicated in Fig. 10. That is to sat, the tone arm 41is now acoustically conn bted with the horn and. the branch tube .5 iscut oil. Referring back to Fig. 12, as the operator continues to rotatethe selecting wheel :29, the contact piece 80 moves out of engagementwith contacts 7? and the circuit of coil 59 is broken. 'This'preventsense- Thcse pairs of contacts are mounted in fixed position withacousticval ve less consumption of current during. the operation of thephonograph. The valve disks, however, remain in actuated osition, beingfirmly held therein'by the spring 74. When the lug 32. on'inember 29strikes the fixed stop 31, the member 29 is in its final position, aspreviously explained. contact piece 8i) at that time is indicated by thedotted lines 530'. while the final position of contact piece 81 is at81.

Let us now supposeit-hat we Want to place the electric X's-producer inoperative condi-" tion. The selerting member 29 is turned inthe'direction oi arrow (Z in Fig. 13. Near the end of the movement ofmember 29, con tact piece 81 bridges the contacts 78 and the circuitthrough coil (30 is closed, as indicated in Fig. 12. The (it is drawninto the coil and lever Gi -t8 is rocked counterclockwise into theposition shown in Fig. 8, whereby the valve dislcs are actuated into theposition indicated by dotted lines 53 and in Fig. 10. The tone arm isnow closed oil from the horn and the telephone receiver 51 is inacoustic communication with the horn through branch tube 50. As themember 29 is turned to its final position in the direction oi? arrow [Zin Fig. 13, the contact piece 81 leaves the contacts 78 and the circuitthrough coil 60 is interrupted. The iinal position of contact piece 81is indicated at 81. in. Fig. 13.

The foregoing description makes it clear that when the operator turnsthe finger piece 28 to place either the diaphragm or the electricneproducer in operative condition, the 53-54l is automatically operatedinto correct position. The action of the solenoid S is supplemented by sring 74, which moves the lever 67 -68 into nal position independently ofcore 61 and holds it there.

l have previously described how tlm circuit of reproducer coil 19 isautomatically closed when the selecting member 29 is moved into positiontor electrio reproduction, and how that 'circnitis automatically openedwhen mechanical reproduction takes place. instead. of controlling theswitch contacts 36 and 37 of coil 19 directly b ythe selecting member29, the reproducer circuit may be controlled by the movement of thevalve-operating mechanism., This ideacan be embodied in various Ways.'In Fig. 9 I have shown a pair or" contacts 36 and 37' mounted on aninsulating" plate 82 carried by the extension 47. These contacts, likecontacts 36 and 3? previously described,

form a. normally open, switch in a circuit 83 of the electric reproducermechanism. When The position of J the valve disks and 5d are actuatedinto 7 the position 53" and 54'; (see Fig. 10),the arm 70 strikes thespring contact arm 36' and forces it against contact 375,.therebyclosing reprodncer circuit 83. When the valve disks are operated toclose tube 50 automatic operation by the valve-controlling .my copen'filed January 29, 1926.

operated mechanism.

Although I have shown a valveconsisting of two disks, a single valvemember may be used. For example, a valve plate could be pivoted at thepoint 845 in Fig. 10, so that it could swing between the positions 53'and 54. In that event, however, the parts 46 and 47 must be of a shapeto allow swinging movement of the valve. Various other changes andmodifications will occur to those who are skilled in this art, withoutdepart ing from the scope of the invention as defined in the followingclaims. In the basic scope of my invc tion as regards the automaticvalve control, the mechanical and electrical reproducing means need notbe mounted in a single casing, but may be separate devices properlymounted on the tone arm.

This ap lication is in part a division of ding case Serial Number84,551,

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A phonograph having mechanical and electrical reproducing meansadapted to be independently of each other, a born for amplifying thesound vibrations of both reproducing means, and valve mechanismautomatically controlled by the operative condition of each reproducingmeans to connect the operative reproducing means with said horn.

2. In phonographic reproducing apparatus, the combination of a horn,mechanical and electrical reproducing means adapted to be operated by arecord-playing needle independently of each other, acoustic connectionswhereby the vibrations of both reproducing means are transmitted throughsaid horn, means for placing either of said reproducing means inoperative condition, and

tus,

mechanism automatically operated by said last-mentioned means forsocontrolling said acoustic connections that the reproducing means inoperation is connected with said horn while the inactive reproducingmeans is acoustically disconnected from the horn.

3. In phonographic reproducing apparathe'combination of a horn, twosound conduits communicating with said. horn, a valve for controllingthe acoustic connection between each conduit and said horn, a mechanicalreproducer connected with one of said conduits, a telephone receiverconnected with said other conduit, an electric reproducer operableindependently of said mechanical reproducer and electrically connectedwith said receiver, electromagnetic mechanism for actuating said valveto open communication between the horn and that conduit through whichreproduction takes place, said valve closing the other conduit, andmeans for automatically controlling said mechanism in accordance withthe operative 7 cluded in'a circuit of said electrical reproducingmeans, a valve arranged to control means the acoustic communication ofsaid tone arm and said receiver with said horn, means for placing eitherof said reproducing means in operative condition, and electromagneticmechanism controlled by said last-mentioned means for actuating saidvalve into such position that sound waves initiated by the reproducingmeans in operation are conveyed through the horn.

5. In phonograph reproducing apparatus,

the combination of a horn, a tone arm and a branch tube communicatingwith said horn, a reproducer unit mounted on said tone arm and having adiaphragm and electric reproducing mechanism operated by a record-playinneedle, means for selecting 95 either said diaphragm or said mechanismfor reproducing operation, a telephone receiver connected to said branchtube and included in a circuit of said reproducing mechanism, a valvearranged to control the connections of said tone arm and said. receiverwith said horn, an electrpmagnetic device for actuating said valve toplace either said tone arm or said branch tube in communication with thehorn, and switch connections controlled by said selecting means foractuating said valve into such position that sound waves initiated bythe reproducing means in operation are conveyed through the horn. 6. Inphonographic reproducing apparatus, the combination of a horn, a air oftone arms communicatingwith said 0rn,. a valve for controlling thecommunication between said tone arms and said horn so that only one tonearmyat a,time is operatively connected with the horn, means forreproducing mechanically through one of said tone arms, means forreproducing elec-" trically through the other tone arm, both of saidreproducing means being operable by a. record-playing needleindependentlyof each'other, and means for automatically actuating saidvalve when either of said reproducing means is placedin operativecondition, said automatic actuating meanscausing the valve to connectthe reproducing tone arm with the horn and to shut off the other arm.

7. In phonograph reproducing apparallO eeann tus, the combination of aborn, a tone arm comnmicating with said horn, a reproducer mounted onsaid tone arm, said reproducer comprising a casing containing adiaphragm and electric reproducing means, said diaphragm transmittingsound. vibrations throu 'h said horn, a telephone receiver controlled bysaid electric reproducing means and acoustically connected with saidhorn, an adjustable linger piece outside said casing for placing eithersaid diaphragm or 'said electric reproducing means in operativecondition, and mechanism controlled by saidfinger piece'for placingeither said diaphragm or said receiver in communication with said. horn.

8. In a phonograph, a lmrn having a, neck communicatin with a tone arm,a branch tube connected obliquely to said neck and adapted tocommunicate with an electric reproducer, a valve member for controllingthe acoustic connection between said tone arm and the horn, asecondvalve member for controlling the acoustic connection between said branchtube and the horn, means for so mounting and connecting said valvemembersthat when one is open the other, is closed, said first valvemember when closed lying obliquely across said neck to form acontinuation of said oblique branch tube, whereby sound waves passeasily from said tube into the horn without a right angled turn, andmeans for simultaneously operating said valve membersi 9. In a phonograh, a'horn having a neck communicatin wi'a a tone arm, a branch tubeconnectc obliquely to said neclr and adapted to communicate with anelectric reproducer, a valve member for controlling the acousticconnection between said tone arm and the horn, a second valve membertor'controlling the acoustic connection between said branch tube andthehorn, means for so mounting and connecting said valve members thatwhen one is 0 en the other is closed, said first valve mem er whenclosed lying obliquely across said neck to form a continuation of saidoblique branch tube, whereby sound waves pass easily from said tube intothe horn without a right-angled turn, and electromagnetic means-mountedon said born for simultaneously operating said valve members.

10. In a phonograph, a -horn having a neck arranged to communicate witha tone arm, a branch tube connected to said neck and adapted tocommunicate with an electric reprodu'cer, a pair of valve members forcontrolling the acoustic oonnection's of said to arm and said tube withsaid horn. said va members beinc' so mounted that when one is closed theother is,open, so that either said tone arm or said tube com- -municateswith said horn, a coil for actuat- 6!! ing said valve members into oneposition,

a second'coit for actuating said valve memhere into the other position,means for re .leasably holding the valve members in eitheractuatedpo'sution, and means for controlling the circuit oi each coil. 1

I lqA phonograph honing mechanical and electrical reproducin meansada'ated to be operated independent y of each ot er, a-liorn foramplifying the sound vibrations ot'both reproducing means, valvemechanism torchnect one or the other of said reproducing means" withsaid horn, an electroma netic coil controlled by the operative conditionof said mechanical reproducing means for actuating said valve mechanismto connect said mechauicail reproducing means with said horn, and asecond electromagnetic coil controlled by the; operative cdudition ofsaid electrical reproducing means foractir ating said valve mechanism toconnect said electrical reproducing means with said horn. l

- 12. In a phonograph rcproducer' having a casing, a diaphragm providedat the center i with a; screw-threaded lug, a needle arm having anadjustable screw adapted to fit into said lug for rigidl connecting thediaphragm to the arm, an a rotary member projecting outside said casingfor turning said screw into and out of engagement with said lug, saidmember being automatically disconnected from said screw after the latterhasbeon adjusted into the desired position.

13. A phonograph having mechanical and an electrical reproducing meansadapted to am plity through a born, a valve torcontrob ing the acousticconnection of each reproducing means with said horn, and a ducer circuitautomatically controlled co rdance with the osition of said valvh.

let. A phonograp having mechanical and electrical reproducing means adated to amplify through a horn, a valve or control-= hugthe acousticconnection of each reprono ducing means with said horn, means for"actuating said valve into proper connecting position for eithermechanical or electrical reproduction, and a reproducer circuitcontrolled by said valve-operating means.

15. A phonograph having mechanical and electrical reproducing means adated to amplify through a born, a valve or controlling the acousticconnection of each reproreproducing means wtih said horn, electromag-3120' netic means for actuating saidvalve into ro er counectim ositionfor either me- P P, r:

chanical or electrical repro'ductiomand a i spring for positivelyactuating said valve into final position independently of saidelectromagnetic means, said spring holding the valve in final position.

16. A phonograph having mechanical and electrical reproducing meansadapted to be operated independently of.each other, a horn mi in acwe. I

for amplifying the vibrations of both re: producing means, valvemechanism to connect one or the other of said reproducing means withsaid horn, electroma netic means forectneting said valve mechanism intoeither connecting position, means for automatically opening the circuitof said electromagnetic incans when the valve mechanism has beenactuated, and means independent of said electromagnetic means forholding the valve mechanism in actuated position.

17. A. phonograph having a horn and a tone arm, a mechanical reproducermounted weenie:

on said tone arm and adant'ed to amplify thron h the tone arm and horn,eiectricai reproducing mechanism operated bv & .record-playing needieand aconsticaiiy connected with said horn, and means for automaticallycontroiiing the acoustic connections of said mechanical re rodncer andsaid electrical reproducing mec ianism with said horn in accordance withthe o erative condition of said mechanical on electrical reproducingdevices.

AnoLPH A. THOMAS.

